KP Santa Rosa is dedicated to providing patient- and family-centered care, where every action reflects compassion, respect, and connection. This commitment was profoundly demonstrated through a heartfelt moment that will forever be remembered by both staff and patient alike.

A patient admitted to a Medical-Surgical Unit was unable to be discharged in time to attend his daughter’s funeral service. Understanding how meaningful it was for him to say a final farewell, the care team acted swiftly and collaboratively to make it possible.

Nurse Jasmin Morales, BSN, RN, worked with Nurse Manager Marvin Tamayo, MSN, RN, CNL to develop a plan. When they were unable to reach the patient’s son, the situation was escalated to Chief Nurse Executive Rebecca Taylor-Ford, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, who quickly recognized that time was limited. Rebecca asked Executive Assistant Mattea Eldredge to drive to the church and facilitate a live FaceTime connection with the patient. Without hesitation, Mattea headed straight to the service.

At the bedside, Jim Wright, Spiritual Care Advisor, sat with the patient to provide emotional and spiritual support. Because the patient had hearing and vision impairments, Jim offered a touching “play-by-play” narration of the ceremony, allowing the patient to experience each moment as it unfolded.

When the service ended, the patient took Jim’s hand and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the team’s efforts, sharing how much it meant to be part of his daughter’s farewell.

Reflecting on the experience, Morales said, “It is such an honor to work for a hospital that would do this for a patient. It meant the world to me to be a part of it.”

This extraordinary act of compassion highlights how interdisciplinary collaboration and empathy define the culture at KP Santa Rosa, where going above and beyond for patients and families is simply who we are.